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The Little Princess Clasped Her Hands in Delight. 


PRINCESS FLORINA 
IN NATURELAND 


BVy 

EVA M. CARTER 


ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR 


THE 


PUBLISHERS 


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NEW YORK 


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1 H£ LibRAHY OF 
CCNORESS. 

T/rfO Copies Received 

MAR 10 1903 

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CLASS (JL. XXo. No. 
COPY B. ' 


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PREFACE. 


This little book, while written in a fanci- 
ful style that will appeal to the imagination 
of the child, will at the same time be an 
open portal through which he may enter into 
the love of all those gifts which Mother Na- 
ture lavishes upon us, if we know where to 
seek them. 

No mere book of facts, unless it unfolds an 
ideal, or an inspiration, will furnish children 
with beautiful conceptions compatible with 
their age or awaken them to the marvels of 
creation. 

If after reading this story, even a few of 
our girls and boys are inspired to gain for 
their own, secrets which before were hid, or 
are led to make friends with the humblest crea- 
tures which cross their path, then this work 
will have fulfilled the purpose of 

The Author. 



CONTENTS, 


I. Fairy Sharp Eyes i 

II. The Wild Flower Ball 6 

III. Prince Hiacinthus 22 

IV. Among THE Wild Birds 29 

V. Florina and the Winter People.. 46 

VI. The Fairy Brings Hiacinthus. . . 61 











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PRINCESS FLORINA IN NATURE- 
LAND. 


I. 

FAIRY SHARP EYES. 

O all appearances everything 
had come to a standstin. The 
great marble palace was sleep- 
ing in the sunshine. The 
stately gardens with their 
glaring walls and artificial 
looking flower beds were tire- 
some to look upon. The King was dozing 
on his golden throne, and the courtiers were 
nodding. Every one in the palace was dull 
and drowsy but the lonely little Princess. Her 
attendants had fallen fast asleep, so she stole 
quietly out by the big fountain where there 
was a small, shady spot, and sat down to 
think. 



2 


Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 


The more the Princess thought the more 
discontented she became. She buried her pretty 
face in her hands and her beautiful golden hair 
fell forward almost to the ground. 

“Oh, dear,” she sighed, “what shall I do? 
If something would only happen !” 

As she breathed these words there was a 
sudden flutter of wings near by, a sound that 
she had never heard before, for wild birds or 
butterflies never came to the King’s stately 
gardens, and Princess Fiorina had never been 
outside of the high stone walls that sur- 
rounded them. Her blue eyes opened wide 
with delight when she glanced up and beheld 
the dainty creature who paused before her. 
Its wings sparkled with all the brilliant hues 
of the humming bird and its gauzy robe was 
woven of butterfly wings with a border of May 
pink petals. 

“Are you a Fairy?” asked the Princess. 
Somehow, she was not the least bit afraid, al- 
though this was the first time she had ever seen 
a real live Fairy. 

“Yes, little Princess,” answered the Fairy, 
coming nearer, and airily poising on the rim 
of the fountain. “I am the Fairy Sharp Eyes. 





The Courtiers were Nodding. 


3 


Fairy Sharp Eyes. 

Mother Nature sent me to you. She says that 
I may grant any request that you are pleased 
to make. I thought as I came toward you that 
you seemed unhappy. If there is anything you 
would like, speak out, Princess Fiorina, and 
you shall obtain your wish.” 

Then ihe Fairy smiled such a blithe, sunny 
smile that Fiorina forgot that she had ever 
been unhappy and smiled also. 

“Good Fairy Sharp Eyes,” she said, “your 
coming has made me happy already, for I was 
wishing that something might happen, and T 
think a visit from such a lovely Fairy is a 
delightful event.” 

“Oh, but you must choose something,” said 
the Fairy, who was much pleased, however, by 
the praise of the Princess. 

“I am tired of everything I have,” said 
Fiorina, thoughtfully. “I have played with 
toys so much until I never want to see any 
more. I am tired of looking at this great white 
palace, and of walking every day in the same 
gardens. Fairy Sharp Eyes, could you take 
me on a journey and show me things that I 
have never before seen?” 

“Indeed I can !” exclaimed Sharp Eyes. 


4 


Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 


"That was the very thing I was hoping yon 
would choose. Would you not like to go to 
Natureland? It is a beautiful place!’’ 

The little Princess clasped her hands in de- 
light. “Yes, indeed. I’d like to go!’’ she cried 
emphatically, though she had not the faintest 
idea what Natureland might be. “We will start 
at once if you wish it,” said the Fair3^ 

“But I’m afraid my father, the King, wouhl 
not allow me,” said the Princess. 

“He is asleep now,” said Fairy Sharp Eyes, 
smiling, “and I have fixed it so that you will 
not be imssed in several hours.” 

“Then let us not lose any time, but go at 
once,” responded Fiorina, eagerl\\ 

Like all Fairies, Sharp Eyes carried in her 
hand a magic wand. “Now, Princess,” she 
said, “I must touch your eyes and ears with 
my wand, or you will not be able to understand 
all the strange things that }'ou will behold. It 
takes sharp eyes and keen minds to see the 
things of Natureland.” 

Y’hen this was done, Fiorina felt as if she 
were a different being. As glad and free as a 
skylark she ascended through the air with the 
Fairy until they floated far above the King’s 


5 


Fairy Sharp Eyes. 

marble palace. But they did not remain there 
long. As they approached the earth the Prin- 
cess cried out, “Oh, Fairy Sharp Eyes, what 
may those be?” 

“Mountain ranges,” replied the Fairy. 

“What beautiful hills and valleys !” ex- 
claimed the Princess. 

“Would you like to go to a ball ?” asked 
Fairy Sharp Eyes. “The wild flower people of 
Natureland will hold a ball this evening in 
Florestian Valley. They are each going to 
speak for themselves and tell IMother Nature 
of their virtues and usefulness and how they 
employ their time and opportunities. After all 
the flower people have spoken there will be a 
dance.” 

“How interesting!” exclaimed Fiorina, “but 
I am not invited. People don’t go to balls unless 
they get an invitation.” 

“Yes, Princess, you are invited,” said the 
Fairy, “Mother Nature told me that you might 
come. It is time now for it to begin, so let 
us hasten.” 


6 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 


11 . 


THE WILD FLOWER BALL. 



LL the guests had arrived 
when Fairy Sharp Eyes 
and the Princess reached 
the pretty dell where the 
ball was to take place. 
Mother Nature, a plump, 
rosy cheeked old lady, with 
a halo of snow white curls, was sitting on a 
beautiful throne made of willow boughs. She 
smiled a sweet welcome when the Fairy pre- 
sented Fiorina. At first the Princess was so 
dazzled by the gay assembly that she almost 
forgot to make the graceful court bow that had 
been taught her by the King's Royal Dance- 
master. However, she did remember just in 
time and was given a seat beside a lovely, 
haughty looking Hyacinth. 

When Princess Fiorina looked around her, 


The Wild Flower Ball. 


7 


she noticed that unlike real, every da}' flowers, 
all the guests had bright little faces. She was 
able to see this because her eyes had been 
touched with Fairy Sharp Eyes’ magic wand. 

Fiorina did not know any of the wild flowers 
and could not tell their names. In fact, these 
were the first she had ever seen. 

But blossoms like the Hyacinth by her side 
she had often made friends with in the con- 
servatories or hot houses in the palace. 

She was sorry to see that Hyacinth received 
disdainful glances from many of the wild 
flowers. 

They treated him as if he were an uninvited 
guest. No one talked to him, and he seemed 
lonesome. 

So the Princess tried to think of something 
pleasant to say to him. 

“All the flowers are so pretty,” she said. 
“Do you know their names?” 

“Yes,” replied the Hyacinth, his face bright- 
ening, “I know all the wild flowers, but they 
do not like me. They count me an intruder, 
for I am the florist’s pet. But I was invited 
by Fairy Sharp Eyes and have as much right 
here as any of them.” 


8 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

“Would you tell me their names?”' asked 
Fiorina. 

“Certainly,” replied Hyacinth, politely. 

“You see that group of 

dainty florets yonder, dressed 
in pale grayish blue?” 

“With their faces gazing 
up to the sky, as if they were 
very good and prim?” 
asked Fiorina. 

“Yes,” said Hyacinth, 
“they are Quaker Ladies. 

Quaker Ladies. Sometimes they are called 

Bluets. Their home is a retired spot along the 
brookside. They belong to the IMadder 

family. 

“Then those modest looking ones, dressed 
m purple, trying to hide behind the round 
green leaves, are Violets. . People love them be- 
cause they come to the woods so early in the 
Spring, sometimes before rough old Winter 
has gone away. The flowers are afraid of 
Winter, he is so cruel, but Spring is sweet and 
gentle. When she calls they come at once.” 

“What is the name of that bold looking 



The Wild Flower Ball. 


9 

flower all dressed in bright yellow?’’ asked the 
Princess. 

“Her name is Black Eyed Susan,” answered 
Hyacinth. “She is a gypsy flower. She wan- 
ders over the fields and meadows, laughing and 
dancing the whole summer long. She is not 
particular about the company she keeps and 
will make companions of the commonest road - 
side weeds.” 

“She is handsome,” said Fiorina, “but I like 
best the little lady near her in the pretty pink 
dress.” 

“Every one likes her,” replied Hyacinth. 
“That is Miss Brier Rose.” 

Then Hyacinth went on telling Fiorina the 
names of the other guests, until Mother Nature 
rose and with a gesture of her wand motioned 
them all to silence. Fairy Sharp Eyes stood 
by her side. 

“Each flower in my service.” said Mother 
Nature, “is useful to me. Each plant fulfils 
its mission of purity, sympathy and love ; and 
T will not give more honor to one than to 
another. At your request I will allow you 
a hearing and see how each of you improves 
his time and opportunities. But, first, I will 


lo Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

introduce to the Flower World the Princess 
Fiorina, a Princess of the people whose lives 
you strive to brighten.” 

The Princess rose, and, with a bow toward 
the flower people, smiled brightly. 

The flowers curtsied and smiled in return. 



Father Lichen. 


“Father Lichen is requested to begin,” said 
Alother Nature, “as he is the oldest of the 
flower people.” Then jMother Nature took her 
seat and an old silver haired Lichen, in a grey 
green robe rose and thanked his people for 
their kindness in preferring him, a rusty old 


The Wild Flower Ball. 


1 1 

lichen, when there were so many beautiful 
flowers present. Then he went on to say : 

“My dears, we Lichens are the pioneers of 
the flower people. Do you know what a pio- 
neer is? I see by your faces that some of you 
do not, so I will tell you. In the People World 
pioneers are brave men and women who go 
forth in a newly discovered country and pre- 
pare the way for others to live where they 
have toiled. A pioneer must be brave, hardy 
and contented with the bare necessities of life. 
Now we Lichens have these qualities in a 
marked degree. 

“For instance, on a bare, rocky ledge, where 
there is no soil, no higher plant could live, but 
we Lichens always manage to gain a foothold. 
The particles of earth are brought to us by 
rain storms, and thus patches of soil are 
formed to which the higher plants may come. 
Humbly and silently we accomplish our tasks. 
When the People World pass a beautiful hill- 
side ledge and admire its adornment of 
Laurels, May Pinks, Fern and Brier Rose they 
little think that this beauty was made possible 
by us Lichens. Ah, well ! true worth, if not 
realized by others, has its own reward.” 


12 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 


Then the old Lichen sat down and closed his 
eyes in a pious manner. 

The Princess wanted to comfort him by 
saying that after this she 
would always appreciate the 
Lichen Pioneers, but at that 
moment Mother Nature mo- 
tioned to a bright little 
flower with flufify golden 
Dandelion. hair, who rose and began to 
speak. ‘T am but a wayside Dandelion,” she 
said, “but I illustrate the mysteries of plant life 
cpiite as well as rarer flowers. The Bee peo- 
ple love us dearly. .When they come buzzing 
over the field they find sweet honey in our 
hearts. Then I lift my face to the sun and 
give thanks that I am of some use in the 
world. There are some beautiful verses writ- 
ten by a great poet, in which we are men- 
tioned. Have you not read the legend? 

“Once upon a time the South Wind thought 

“ ‘He beheld a maiden standing. 

Saza a tall and slender maiden, 

All alone upon the prairie, 

Brightest green zoere all her garments 



The Wild Flower Ball. 


13 


And her hair zvas like the sunshine. 

And zehen 

One morning looking Northward, 

He beheld her yellozv tresses 

Changed and covered o’er zvith zchiteness — 

Covered o’er zoith zvhitest snoze'^f lakes’ 

“He thought that his brother from the 
Northland had won her; but the maiden 
turned out to be merely the prairie Dandelion. 

“The children like us most when we grow 
old. They bloAv on our downy heads to see 
if their mother wants them. 

“How they laugh when our little fluffy 
seeds fly airily away, like little white birds. 

“I could tell of many more virtues that we 
Dandelions possess. How a valuable medicine 
is made of our roots, and a very palatable 
salad of our green leaves, but it would be un- 
fair of me to take up any more time.” 

Upon hearing Dandelion, the Princess was 
more delighted than ever with the flower peo- 
ple, and she whispered softly to Hyacinth that 
she wished that she was a flower herself, so 
that she might always live in Natureland. 

Little Miss Dogwood Blossom spoke next. 


14 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

She was a dainty lady with pale yellow hair-. 
She wore a green waist and a wide flaring 
skirt of creamy white. 

“Wflien Spring called,” she said, “we were 
among tlie first of the flower people to obey. 
Even before our bright green leaves had the 
courage to appear and brave the cold March 
blast I and my sister blossoms were shining 
from the borders of the woodland. In Sum- 
mer our foliage is the loveliest green, and in 
Autumn, with Mother Nature’s help, we blos- 
soms put on bright scarlet dresses, and grow 
fat and round. The children then call us 
berries. And if I do say it myself I think the 
Dogwood should be more appreciated, for we 
are handsomer than many other shrubs that 
are petted and cultivated.” 

With this Miss Dogwood took her seat with 
a pert little air as if to say, “That was a nice 
speech, wasn’t it?” 

A large band of flaming Cardinal Flowers 
were there, and from their number one more 
handsome than the others stepped out and be- 
gan to talk. 

“I have made up a little rhyme,” he said, 
“which I will repeat : 


The Wild Flower Ball. 


15 


‘^We’ve struggled up to the sunlight , — 

Up from the mire and clay; 

We leave our fringed banners 
From morn till close of day; 

Have you seen our gay procession 
In the lozvland by the brook f 

We’re all in scarlet Jiniform; 

How glorious we look! 

‘‘The South Wind brought the summons 
To come to the Wild Flower ball; 

We left our home by the brookside, 

And assembled one and all. 

To pretty Princess Fiorina, 

Our crimson plumes we doff 

We’ll dance a merry minuet, 

And then we will be off.” 

Mother Nature smiled and nodded encour- 
agement to modest Lily of the Valley. 

“I am a child of the hills,” said this sweet 
flower, ‘‘and T grow free on the mountains 
called Alleghany. 

“Long years ago our ancestors came from 
Europe, and we have been increasing ever 
since by means of underground stems called 


1 6 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

root-stocks. I would like to tell you all about 
this process, for it is very interesting to me, 
but this would require too much time. My 
root-stock has so much plant food stored up 
in it that it can afford to send up from each 
bud two leaves, several buds and a flower 
stalk. I feel very sorry for the poor Lilies 
of the Valley who are cultivated in gardens. 
They never get a visit from the insect that car- 
ries the pollen of the wild wood Lilies. 
Therefore they never bear bright red berries 
like their little wild sisters. The special insect 
that carries the pollen of the Lily of the Valley 
is a very fastidious one. 

‘T have no more to say except that wherever 
our lot is cast we strive to exert an influence 
of purity and sweetness.” 

“What a little darling she is !” said the 
Princess. 

“Yes,” answered Hyacinth, “but see! The 
Flower Preacher is standing up in his pulpit. 
What do you think of Jack?” 

“He is not dignified enough to be a 
preacher,” said the Princess promptly. 

“But I like him. He looks so jolly!” 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit was indeed a cheery little 


The Wild Flower Ball. 


17 


fellow. He rose in his green and purple 
striped pulpit, curtsied politely, and began 
to talk: 

‘T am not going to preach a sermon to- 



J ack-in-the- Pulpit. 


day,” he said, “neither will I give a botany 
lesson and explain about my scape, spadix and 
spathe. 


1 8 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 


“I will tell you something of my home, and 
of the congregation who listen to my preach- 
ing. I live in a rich meadow back of an old 
orchard of apple trees. In the wet ground 
near me tiny Light Blue Violets gleam, and 
Adders’ Tongue, unfairly named, nods to me 
merrily with its single yellow flower 

“Clusters of Wild Columbine peep at me 
over the tumbling wall, and amidst the tail 
grass, tiny Quaker Ladies gaze up and listen 
solemnly to my sermons. Blue Eyed Grass 
twinkles roguishly, and Bellwort, a modest 
flower that will not unfold her blossoms, rings 
her pretty golden bell, and makes a melody 
that calls attention to my preaching. 

“Bobolinks sing overhead in the top of the 
mountain ash and a pair of Robins who came 
drifting on the morning breeze are busy with 
plans for the future. 

“They are building a rubbishy cradle on a 
gnarled branch of an old scraggy apple tree 
near by — a tree that has become a bower of 
bloom and beauty, touching all the air around 
with delicate perfume. 

“Indeed, Spring brings so many pleasant 


The Wild Flower Ball. 


19 


companions and beautiful things to me that it 
would take a long time to tell you all. I have 
a thankful heart for all my blessings. That 
is the reason I preach such bright cheerful 
sermons.’' 

Here Princess Fiorina asked Hyacinth a 
question. “Why is it,” she inquired softly, 
“that there are so many of those plumy, yellow 
flowers?” 

“They are called Goldenrod,” replied 
Hyacinth. “There are eighty-five of them 
present because there are that many kinds, and 
each kind or speices has sent a representative. 

“Only one of them will speak.” 

“They look like a torch light procession or 
pretty golden bowers,” said Fiorina. 

When Jack-in-the-Pulpit ceased talking, 
one of the handsome Goldenrods advanced, 
and said, “I am the Noble or Showy Golden- 
rod. My cousins have chosen me to speak 
for all of us. There are many of us here, the 
Elm-leaved, the Yellow-top, the Canada, the 
Missouri, the Zig-zag and many others. Al- 
though we are great in number our words 
will be few. 


20 Princess P'lorina in Natureland. 


“Long ago u>c learned the secret 
Of a lovely art. 

It zeas hoiv to hold bright sunshine 
In the heart. 

'‘Ever since zoe’ve roamed the land 
In a happy gladsome hand, 
Brightening all the dusty wayside, 

Where zee stand. 

"Filling every field and meadozv 

With szveet sunshine; no dark shadozu 
Dares to fall on field or meadozv. 

Where zvt zvave our golden zvand.” 

Queen of the Meadow, a tall, stately flower 
dressed in royal purple, gave a little talk. 
Then Lady Fern told of her moss carpeted 
home by the brookside. 

Pedate Violet complained that her velvety 
pansy-like blossoms were not more admired. 
Hepatica, Arbutus, Bloodroot and Anemone 
competed for the honor of being the earliest 
wild flower. Moss Pinks told how gorgeous 
butterflies and long-tongued bees sipped their 
nectar, and carried their golden dust. They 


The Wild Flower Ball. 


21 


said that butterflies have a love for pink 
flowers, while bees like blue flowers the best. 

Trumpet Flower told with pardonable pride 
of visits from the Ruby Throated Humming- 
Bird. “I wear his favorite colors,” she said, 
“and when he calls I always have a feast ready 
for him.” 

A beautiful rose-purple Thistle told a story 
of how a Thistle once saved a country. She 
said that some people called Danes attempted 
to invade Scotland, but as they stole silently 
in the night, marching barefooted, one of 
them stepped on a Thistle. 

At this he cried out sharply, and his cry 
awakened the Scots, and so saved their coun- 
try. Ever since the Thistle has been the 
Scotch emblem. 

All the flowers had something interesting, 
if not wonderful to say, and the Princess lis- 
tened attentively to their speeches. 


22 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 


III. 

PRINCE HIACINTHUS. 

Y the time all the wild flowers 
had spoken the musicians ar- 
rived for the dance. The 
Katydids and Crickets, wear- 
ing neat suits of green and 
brown velvet, came with their 
fiddles, and a jolly old locust brought his 
drum along. 

“Before you choose your partners,” said 
Mother Nature, “Fairy Sharp Eyes would like 
to say a few words.” 

“Hear! Hear!” called the wild flowers, who 
were always glad to hear from their guardian 
fairy. 

“I am going to tell the wild flowers a little 



Prince Hiacinthus. 


23 


story,” said Sharp Eyes. “It is a story that 
will perhaps cause them to think more kindly 
of one of our guests this evening.” 

The flowers looked around from one to an- 
other as if wondering of whom the Fairy was 
about to speak. Princess Fiorina was curious 
also. 

“Once upon a time,” said the Fairy, “there 



The Katydids came with their fiddles. 

was a beautiful young prince whose name was 
Hiacinthus. 

“He spent his time playing in the green 
meadows and along the stream banks of Hel- 
las with his two companions, Zephyrous the 
West Wind, and Eurus his brother. 

“One day Apollo, the Lord of the Day, was 


24 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

passing through the heavens in his golden sun 
car, and happened to spy the young prince. 
Apollo, who was himself young, admired the 
beautiful youth so much that he left his chariot 
of flame for Helios to drive, and came down 
to the meadow to play with Hiacinthus. 

“Apollo found that he loved Hiacinthus, 
and afterward often came down to seek his 
comrade. 

“But Zephyrotis, Hiacinthus’ former com- 
panion, grew very sulky and jealous because 
Hiacinthus liked to play with Apollo. One 
day, while Apollo and Hiacinthus were play- 
ing a game of quoits, Zephyrotis did a very 
wicked thing. 

“When the sun god threw the golden disk. 
Zephyrotis blew it the wrong way, so that it 
struck Hiacinthus on the temple and killed 
him. 

“When Apollo saw that Hiacinthus was 
dead he was very sorry, and upon looking to 
the ground where the poor boy’s blood had 
dropped, he noticed great clusters of beautiful 
flowers springing up. Some of them were 
purple like the eyes of Hiacinthus, some white 
as his forehead, others pink as his cheeks. 


Prince Hiacinthus 


25 


“Then Apollo exclaimed, ‘Though thou hast 
been slain, O mortal youth, yet shalt thou live 
forever !’ 

“And ever since the flowers have been called 
by the name of Hiacinthus. 

“Now we are honored this evening by the 
presence of the flower Hyacinth. I am sure 
that after hearing his sad story not a flower 
present would say ‘nay’ to something very 
wonderful that I am about to suggest. 

“Shall I change the flower Hyacinth into 
the prince, so that he may more fully enjoy 
our ball ?’’ 

All the wild flowers were delighted. The 
little Princess gave Hyacinth a side glance, 
and saw that he was very glad. 

W^ith a deep curtsey he went forward to 
the very throne of Mother Nature, where 
Sharp Eyes touched him gently, and lo! a 
beautiful young prince stood before them. 

He bowed low to Mother Nature and to 
the good Fairy, whom he gracefully thanked. 
Just then the musicians struck up their liveliest 
tune, and all the wild flowers began to choose 
their partners for a minuet. 


26 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 


The Prince at once sought Fiorina. 
“Princess, will you favor me with a dance?’’ 
he asked. 

“With pleasure,” responded the Princess 
gaily. 

What a dance that was ! Fiorina never for- 
got the bright scene, or how gallant the Prince 
was or how gracefully he danced. 

Sweet William, elegantly attired, led the 
dance with Miss Marigold. Goldenrod 
danced with Bouncing Bet, Wake Robin with 
Primrose, and Cardinal Flower, in his flaming 
red coat, chose Iris for his partner. 

In and out they wound in the mazes of the 
Wild Flower Minuet, now curtseying pro- 
foundly, now advancing and retreating, and 
all in tune to the fiddling of the Katydids and 
Crickets. 

Fireflies bore flashing torches that grew 
brighter and brighter as the evening became 
darker, and the mossy green carpet was soft 
and velvety. 

But all such merry times must end. At last 
the musicians left for their leafy homes, the 
wild flowers bade all adieu, and went away 
to their native haunts along the brookside, in 


Prince Hiacinthus. 


27 

the meadows, among the orchard grass, and 
by the roadsides. 

Before the Prince turned into a lovely 
Hyacinth again, he sang this farewell song: 


“Dainty Fairy Sharp Eyes, 

Thank you for this glad surprise. 

You changed me by your fairy pozvcr, 

Your imnd has touched the hyacinth dower, 
And Lot the prince for one brief hour. 
Farezvell, dear Fairy! 


“Pretty Wild Flozvcr People all, 

Vve enjoyed your lovely ball, 

Your little speeches Fll not forget 
Vve danced your stately minuet 
To the merry tune my feet zvere set, 
Farezvell, szveet Wild Flozvers. 


“Oh, Fiorina, Princess szveet. 

Will ever again our tripping feet 
Dance to the music of Naturelandf 
Oh, that I had the pozver to demand 


28 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 


My release from the bondage of Blossom Land, 
Then at your side a Prince Fd stand, 

Farezieell, Princess FloidnaF 

Then Fairy Sharp Eyes guided the Princess 
safely home, where she had not been missed 
by any one in the great marble palace. 




Among the Wild Birds. 


2q 


IV. 

AMONG THE WILD BIRDS. 


AY after day the little Prin- 
cess waited patiently by the 
great stone fountain hoping 
that the fairy would again 
appear. She wondered if she 
should ever see Prince Hia- 
cinthus again, and longed for more adventures 
in Natureland. 

A whole week went by, and the time 
seemed so long to the lovely Princess that she 
began to despair. 

“Fairy Sharp Eyes has forgotten me,” she 
said sadly to herself. But at that moment, — 
“Good morning, Princess Fiorina!” said a 
voice at her side. “I have not forgotten you. 
Are you ready for another journey to Nature- 
land?” 



30 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

Fiorina looked up quickly, her face beam- 
ing with pleasure, for here was the gOod 
Fairy again, as radiant as ever. 

“Yes, yes!” responded the Princess. So 
after her eyes and ears had been touched by 
the magic wand the Princess went forth again 
with Fairy Sharp Eyes to see some of the 
wonders of Natureland. 

“Will we meet any of the flower people 
this time ?” asked Fiorina. 

“Would you not like to get acquainted 
with some of Mother Nature’s other chil- 
dren?” inquired Sharp Eyes. “We could 
visit the homes of the bird people.” 

“Oh. I should like to do that,” said 
Fiorina. “I have never seen any wild birds. 
There are some beautiful birds in the palace, 
but they live in cages. They came from a far 
country beyond the sea, and seem quite home- 
sick, poor things, and they never sing like 
they really want to. 

“How happy the wild birds must be ! They 
have nothing to do but to live in the pretty 
groves and sail up into the blue sky and 
sing.” 

“You are mistaken. Princess,” said the 


Among the Wild Birds. 31 

Fairy, smiling, “none of Mother Nature’s 
children are idlers. Each bird has a trade by 
which it makes its living. The Ospreys, 
Herons, and Kingfishers are fishermen ; the 
Woodpeckers work in the wood; some are 
hunters, like the Eagles and Hawks and Owls 
and Vireos. There is a Tailor bird, who 
uses its beak as a needle, a certain plant-fibre 
for thread, and sews leaves together, forming 
a pocket in which it deposits its eggs and 
brings up its family. Nearly every bird is an 
architect.” 

“I should like to see some of them at work,” 
said Fiorina. 

The Princess and Sharp Eyes were now in 
the heart of a dense woodland. 

To ordinary people it would have been a 
most difficult task to push through that thick 
growth of alders and dogwood bushes, grown 
out of all rhyme and reason. 

But the Fairy and the Princess made their 
way with no effort, Fiorina looking and lis- 
tening. 

To the Princess all the sights and sounds 
of the woodland seemed like a wonderful 
dream land. 


32 Princess P'lorina in Natureland. 

Overhead the bird people greeted them, and 
little glints of blue, scarlet and yellow amidst 
the thick foliage showed that they were wear- 
ing their brightest plumage. 

There was a song going up from every bush 
and tree top, and every song seemed a “thank 


you” for bright 
skies and a lovely 
earth, for sweet 
flowers blooming, 
for dew and sun- 
shine, and cool bab- 
bling brooks, and 
little homes hidden 
by green leaves. 



Oriole. 


“Here is Oriole’s home.” said Sharp Eyes, 
and Fiorina espied a hanging pouch-like nest 
firmly secured to a stout twig. 

“What a delightful cradle!” exclaimed the 
Princess. Then she and the Fairy glided up- 
ward and rested on a gnarled branch just 
above the nest. 

As they did so IMr. Oriole flew near. Turn- 
ing his head coquettishly to one side he un- 
folded his wings several times with a saucy 
little flutter, and looked at the intruders. 


33 


Among the Wild Birds. 

Evidently he decided that they were friends, 
for he came nearer, and to the surprise of the 
Princess, began to speak in a clear voice. 

“Pll have to entertain you, my friends,” he 
said, “for Mrs, Oriole is taking care of our 
lovely eggs. I have some leisure now, but 
when our little birds hatch I won’t have time 
for anything but to fill their big mouths. Dear 
me, what cry babies little Orioles are! They 
will keep one hustling from morning till 
night.” 

“Don’t you think I am a handsome fel- 
low?” 

“How fine the orange and vermilion 
colors of my lower back and wings, and there 
is a spot of orange on each of my shoulders 
with edgings of white.” 

“I think you are beautiful,” replied the 
Princess. Then at the Fairy’s request Oriole 
sang one of his best songs for them. He 
really could sing charmingly, he was a gor- 
geous creature, and his home was a model of 
cleverness and neatness, so we must not blame 
him for being proud. 

Among the cool shady boughs of an old 
poplar that leaned over a hurrying stream lived 


34 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

a Wood Thrush. The Fairy and the Princess 
found this sweet songster swaying above his 
pretty nest, and pouring forth his very heart 
in clear liquid melody. 

The song was rich and mellow, and was 
sung to the accompaniment of the soft music 
of the river. 

The Princess was entranced. He was a 



Wood Thrush. 


modest brown bird, bright reddish brown on 
the top of the head, and white beneath, with 
many spots of dark brown on the breast and 
sides. 

Mrs. Thrush sat on the nest, which was 
made of fine, soft moss interwoven with dried 
grasses. 


35 


Among the Wild Birds. 

“Now we will visit the haunt of the King 
of Fishermen,” said the Fairy. “He lives on 
the shore of this wooded stream, and perhaps 
we may watch him earn his dinner.” 

They found the Kingfisher perched on a 
limb overhanging the water, silently waiting 
for fish or foe. 

“He seems to be looking straight ahead, 



Kingfisher. 


doesn’t he?” said Sharp Eyes. “But in real- 
ity he is looking down on the surface of the 
water on the watch for unsuspecting fish. Be- 
sides, he is on the alert for any danger that 
may threaten him. But he will not fear us.” 


36 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

As the Princess and the Fairy approached, 
the Kingfisher looked at them saucily, and 
uttered a peculiar note, which the Princess 
thought sounded very much like a rattle. 

“Good morning, friends.” said the sprightly 
creature. “I feel greatly honored by your 
visit, but you must forgive me if I do not give 
you my undivided attention.” 

“Wdiere is your house. Kingfisher?” asked 
the Princess, for there was no nest in sight. 

“Ha, ha ! that’s a secret, and you could 
never guess it. But I’ll tell you if you’ll 
promise not to divulge.” 

“I will not tell.” replied Fiorina. “It took 
me and my mate three weeks,” said the King- 
fisher, “to build our nest. 

“First we dug a tunnel five feet long in the 
river bank. \\'e used our feet for trowels. 
In this hole is our nest. Then I burrowed a 
second hole, three feet deep, in which to sleep. 
I like a bedroom all my own, you see. Our 
babies hatched yesterday, and I was almost 
disappointed in them, for they had no feathers. 
But they have large mouths that must be filled, 
and that is the reason I am unusually busy this 
morning.” 


37 


Among the Wild Birds. 

At that moment there was the glint of a 
shining fin, and the flash of scales beneath the 
water. With a swift certain movement, the 
Kingfisher made a silent headlong plunge, and 
lo ! In an instant he emerged from the water 
with the fish in his bill. 

Shaking the bright drops from his plumage 
he gave a victorious shout or rattle, and flew 
back to his perch. “Well done. Kingfisher!” 
said Fairy Sharp Eyes. “We will bid you good- 
bye now.” So, with a friendly, “Good-bye,” 
the Bird Fisherman flew away with his prize 
to his home in the river bank. 

“Witchery, witchery, witchery!” sang a 
clear bird voice. 

“Who sings witchery?” asked the Princess, 
as they glided on through the woodland. “The 
Maryland Yellow Throat,” replied Fairy Sharp 
Eyes. At that moment the Princess saw a 
pretty yellow breasted bird looking at them 
inquisitively from a tangle of low bushes. He 
was ever on the alert, hopping and flitting 
about in the thicket, and twittering sharply, 
“Witchery? Witchery?” 

“No,” repeated Sharp Eyes, “I am a Fairy 
and this is a Princess. 


38 ' Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

“There is no witchery, unless you are a 
witch yourself, Yellow Throat.” 

Evidently the little bird was satisfied that 
the Princess and the Fairy meant no harm, for 
he came nearer and chirped, “Follow me and 
you shall see what my pretty treasures be.” 

On they followed until they reached a reedy 
marshland, where tall, brown cattails and 
plumy grasses bent over a shallow nest built 
on the ground in a grassy tangle. The treas- 
ures of their little bird guide proved to be four 
pretty eggs, white, with spots of brown and 
lilac. 

“Aren’t you sometimes lonely. Yellow 
Throat, away off here on this marshland?” 
asked the Princess. 

“No indeed,” he chirped, “I am never lonely. 
Why, I have a great many neighbors. 

“Mrs. Shortbilled Marsh Wren lives near, 
and all her cousins. IVIy nearest neighbor is 
Red Winged Blackbird. 

“There are a whole colony of them in the 
reeds nearest the water. There is one now ! 
He is full of curiosity and wants to know who 
my company is. 

“It is not often that we receive such dis- 


* 




The Blackbird and Its Nest, 



39 


Among the Wild Birds. 

tingiiished visitors as a Princess and a Fairy.” 
And Yellow Throat made a funny little bow, 
and looked so roguish that the Princess could 
scarcely keep from laughing. 

The Blackbird was singing lustily: 


‘Weeds and 'grasses, 

Grasses and zveeds. 

This is zvJiat the marsh bird needs 
To build a snug nest midst cattails and reeds. 
Tussock of grasses 
Sazv grass and reeds.” 


The lively bird came nearer and the Prin- 
cess liked both him and his song. 

He was a rich blue black in color. 

His shoulders were bright scarlet, edged 
with buff. “How pretty your song is !” ex- 
claimed Fiorina. “Do you know another 
verse?” 

“Of course I do,” answered Red Wing. 
“Hundreds of them. Shall I sing you one 
more ?” 

“Thank you, I should be delighted,” replied 
the Princess. So Red Wing sang: 


40 Piincess Fiorina in Natureland. 

'‘Eggs of pearl zvhite, 

White and green blue, 

This is the loveliest, daintiest hue, 

JViki roses bloom round this nest of mine. 
And blush that my eggs so far outshine 
Their ozvn rose hue/' 

Fairy Sharp Eyes and Fiorina then told 
the Yellow Throat “Good-bye,” and accom- 
panied Red Wing to his nest. 

The Princess found that the words of his 
song were true, for the roughly made nest 
was in a wild rose bush, a bower of beauty, 
mirrored in the rippling water just below. 
However, she could not have told which was 
the daintier, the pink blossoms or the pearly- 
white and blue eggs. 

Fairy Sharp Eyes and Fiorina then visited 
little Marsh Wren, who had built several 
homes, and lived in but one of them. Her 
nest was globular in shape with the entrance 
in the side. It was attached to some upright 
reeds, and shaded by the long green leaves. 
The energetic little mother bird was bustling 
around, and seemed so busy feeding her babies 
that her visitors did not remain long for fear 
of intruding. 


41 


Among the Wild Birds. 

After making the acquaintance of Marsh 
Hawk, who wheeled and dived through the 
air in a wonderful manner, as if he were try- 
ing to win their admiration, and of brown 
coated Swamp Sparrow, who, the Fairy said 
resembled his cousin, the Song Sparrow, 
Fairy Sharp Eyes and Fiorina left the marsh- 
land, and very soon were traversing the wood- 
land again. 

Here they heard the sound of tapping, 
tapping. Then they caught a glimpse of a 
brightly dressed bird who was pecking holes 
on the side of a tree and singing all the while. 


‘‘Tap! Tap! Tap! 

A jolly woodpecker am /, 

Chee! chee! 

I sing as the days go by, 

Chee! chee! 

I ivork as I sing, 

And zvifh many a ring 
I girdle the old sprnce pine, 

Chee! chee! 

The sap that rises is fine, 

Chee! chee! 


42 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

By boring these rings, 

I make little springs, 

This nectar is better than zvine. 

Tap! Tap! Tap! 


*'Tap! Tap! Tap! 

My tongue is a sharp pointed thorn, 

Chee! chee! 

So zjuhen poor little insects forlorn, 

Chee! chee! 

Come to drink at my springs. 

They get stuck in, poor things. 

And I snap them all up every one, 

Chee! chee! 

Do you think such a feast I zvould scorn, 
Chee! chee! 

There’s no pride in confessing 
That I’m a great blessing, 

When azvay from the trees they are borne. 
Tap! Tap! Tap! 


*‘Tap! Tap! Tap! 

A golden-zvinged beauty am I, 

Chee! chee! 

My brightness no one can deny, 

Chee! chee! 


43 


Among the Wild Birds, 

With the spots on my breast, 

And the blue of my crest, 

Which is blue as the tender blue sky, 

Chee! chee! 

If the secret yoidll keep, 
ril give you a peep 
At my home in the old hollow tree, 

Chee! chee! 

rm as happy as happy can be, 

Chee! chee! 

But listen! my mate 
Is calling. Bin late! 

If you’ll follow my treasure you’ll see. 

Tap! Tap! Tap!” 

The little Princess was delighted with this 
lively song, and would have followed Wood- 
pecker to his home in the hollow tree, but 
Fairy Sharp Eyes said, “No, Princess, I will 
give you a little glimpse of the mountain 
country; then I will take you to the palace, 
for the Sun, the King of Day, that has re- 
freshed the whole earth with his light and 
heat, and given life and pleasure to all of 
Nature’s children, is about to sink from our 
sight within his rosy bed.” 


44 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

So Fiorina soon found herself on the sum- 
mit of a high mountain peak, and her whole 
attention became absorbed in the wonderful 
view before her. “Oh, Fairy Sharp Eyes,” 
she cried, “what a wonderful picture !” And 
then she was silent, unable to express her 
admiration and delight. 

The lofty walls of the mountains arose, 
ridge above ridge, forming a great stairway 
that ended in the rosy light of the sunset, and 
this stairway was covered with a beautiful 
carpet woven by the sunbeams from Mother 
Nature’s loom. It was of many rich and 
varied colors, green, grey, sapphire, purple 
and rose. 

Far below a beautiful valley nestled be- 
tween the wooded hills. 

The babbling of a silvery brook as it leaped 
among the mossy rocks, and the song of the 
twilight breeze sweeping through the tree- 
tops seemed to Fiorina like sweet voices hush- 
ing Mother Nature’s children to rest and quiet. 

Behind the western hills the sun, the mon- 
arch of the day, sank to rest, and lo! over his 
couch was drawn a gorgeous coverlet of crim- 
son, purple and scarlet. 


Among the Wild Birds. 45 

The landscape grew darker, and the little 
stars came out one by one. 

Then Fairy Sharp Eyes took the hand of 
the Princess, and said softly : 

“Let us go.” 


46 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 


V. 

FLORINA AND THE WINTER PEOPLE. 

FTER her visit to the Bird Peo- 
ple every day found the Prin- 
cess waiting and hoping for 
the return of Fairy Sharp 
Eyes. For hours she would 
sit by the great stone fountain 
only to be disappointed. It 
seemed indeed that the Fairy 
had really forgotten her, for 
Summer passed away and 
Autumn reluctantly folded 
her hands and gave over the dominion to old 
Winter, and still she did not come. 

Now, Fiorina could not wait by the foun- 
tain for the garden walks were deeply covered 



Fiorina and the Winter People. 47 

with soft white snow, and the wind was cold 
and harsh. 

When she wanted to go out and play in 
the snow her attendants held up their hands 
in dismay, and whispered to each other, 
^What a queer child the Princess is!” 

Then her nurse went off to talk with the 
head butler, and Fiorina stood forlornly by the 
casement looking out on the dreary gardens. 

She had never felt so lonely before, and 
a little pearly tear rolled down her rose leaf 
cheek as she sighed, “If Summer would only 
come, perhaps then I might visit Natureland 
again.” 

“You may visit Natureland now, little 
Princess,” said a sweet voice, and Fairy Sharp 
Eyes, like a ray of summer sunshine, stood 
on the window sill. 

“Oh, dear Fairy, how glad I am to see 
you !” cried Fiorina. 

When touched by the magic wand, this 
time a warm fur cloak and hood enveloped 
the Princess, and the Fairy said, “This is to 
resist Jack Frost’s magic. He cannot hurt 
you now. Come, let us hasten!” 

Soon Fiorina was in the Winter world. 


48 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

The sun shone merrily down on the white 
dazzling meadows and hillsides, sparkling 
crystals hung from the bare, brown branches 
of the trees that had been bowers of green 
leaves when last the Princess visited Nature- 
land. 

There was not a flower to be seen. Bur 
the snow made everything look beautiful. 
Hills and valleys were mantled in pure white, 
the groves were robed in fleecy whiteness, 
and sparkled beneath the sun. 

Princess Fiorina was happy that she could 
be even for a short time away from the dull 
old palace. 

It was fine to glide through the glowing 
air, fast and far over a charming, wonderful 
land by the side of a kind fairy. 

“Fairy Sharp Eyes, where do the Flowers 
and Bird People go when Father Winter 
comes to Natureland?” asked the Princess. 

“The Flowers go to sleep,” replied the 
Fairy, “and Alother Nature covers them up 
warmly with a coverlet of snow. But at the 
approach of Winter the birds fly farther and 
farther away until they reach a land where 
\\''inter never comes. 


Fiorina and the Winter People. 49 

“They remain there until Spring enters 
Natureland, then they return to their old 
homes. 

“The Winter People who remain with us 
are not always handsome, but some of them 
can tell very interesting stories. 

“I just love to hear stories,” said Fiorina. 

“Let us see what kind of a story that tall 
milkweed stalk at the edge of the meadow 
will tell,” said Fairy Sharp Eyes. 

When the Princess saw the Milkweed Stalk 
she was surprised that Fairy Sharp Eyes 
should even notice such a dull looking thing. 

“Why, it’s nothing but a dry old stalk,” she 
thought, “but I will be polite and listen.” 

This is the story the Alilkweed Stalk told. 

“Mdien I was a tiny baby all the flowers 
were put to bed and cuddled warmly in a soft 
white blanket. 

“The squirrel and the timid little hare were 
sound asleep beneath their cosy roofs. I and 
my eleven tiny brothers and sisters lived in a 
brown house out on a frozen meadow. 

“Here is a little rhyme which will help to 
tell our story: 


50 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

Tzvelve little downy milk-weed babies, 

{Just a dozen and not one odd) 

Lived by a rail fence out in the meadow, 

In a cozy brown house, — a milkweed pod. 

Side by side lay these dainty babies. 

In 'gowns of the fluffiest, silky, zvhite. 

Their house had neither door nor window. 
And they never hod seen a ray of light. 

But swinging in their pretty house-cradle. 
Many a strange little secret they heard. 

As the Indian Summer passed over the 
meadozu. 

And whispered of Butterfly, Bee and Bird. 

And then they said, — these milkzveed babies, 
“Oh, that zve could the lovely zvorld see; 
Instead of lying here in the darkness, 

I zvish that some fairy zvould set us freeJ’ 

Just then Jack Frost tripped over the meadozv. 
Tipping the brozvn tufted grasses zinth 
pearl. 

Painting the trees the most zvonderful colors, 
Bringing the brozvn leaves dozvn zvith a 
zvhirl. 





Jack Frost. 



Fiorina and the Winter People. 51 

With his frost tipped imnd that the fairies 
gave him, 

He toiiehed the house-cradle, dry and 
brozm. 

And through the opening, glad and joyful. 

The little seed-babies came fluttering dozmi. 

“We all lodged in an out of the way corner 
of the old rail fence,” continued Miss Milk- 
weed, “and there we lay in the dark. 

“But very soon our little sleepy heads were 
lost in happy dreams of a joy to come. 

“Something within our pent-up seed life 
whispered hope of a bright future. 

“Those days of cold and patient waiting 
were a necessary time of preparation, for a 
season of work and pleasure. At last our 
little feet felt their way down into the cool 
damp earth. 

“So quickened by warm sunshine and gentle 
showers we all peeped up above the ground, 
and oh, how glad and joyful we were. 

“By the brook in the woods and all over 
the meadows were flowers, — flowers every- 
where. 

“The fields hummed with honey laden bees, 


52 Princess P'lorina in Natiireland. 


the birds were singing their sweetest songs, 
and the leaves were thick upon the trees. 

“We seed babies had changed into healthy, 
happy, little plants, gradually unfolding into 
leaf, branch, flower and fruit, until now Jack 
Frost has put an end to our life work. We 
worked hard all summer, and bore nice pods 
full of silk.” 

“Where is the silk?” asked the Princess. 

“In a cushion, I presume,” replied the Milk- 
weed Stalk.” 

“A cushion?” asked the Princess wonder- 
ingly. 

“Yes, my dear,” said the Milkweed Stalk, 
“a little girl came to this meadow one beau- 
tiful Autumn day. She found our silk pods, 
and said : 

“ ‘What lovely Milkweed ! Just the thing 
for mother’s cushion !’ And the little girl bore 
away our treasures.” 

A forest grew near the meadow, where the 
Fairy and the Princess met the Milkweed 
Stalk, but the trees were bare and naked, and 
the Princess was surprised that the Fairy led 
her toward such an uninteresting place. 


Fiorina and the Winter People. 53 

“I want you to hear the Big Fir tell his 
story,” said Fairy Sharp Eyes. 

Then Fiorina noticed a fine old tree that 
had not changed like the other trees, but was 
green and bright, although the snow clung 
to its branches. 

“Big Fir, tell us something about yourself,” 
requested Fairy Sharp Eyes, 

“Many, many years ago,” said the Big Eir, 
“I was a little brown fir seed. In the dark 
ground I lay for a long time wondering what 
would become of me; but one bright Spring 
day I sent my soft green fingers up to the 
sunlight and felt with my little foot down in 
to the earth, and I was a tree. But such a 
tiny tree that you would not have called me 
one, I am sure ! 

“I caught the sunshine and drank in the 
rain, and was full of gladness, for the world 
was so beautiful. 

“After a while the leaves of many trees 
turned brown and fell to the earth, the flow- 
ers that had made the woods so gay drooped 
and withered, and I learned that the flowers’ 
enemy. Old Winter, had taken possession of 
the land. 


54 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

“He will kill me. too, thought I. But I 
was rejoiced to find that my little fingers re- 
mained green and stiff and did not die. 

“Then I noticed that I had three pretty 
brown cones, which I took good care of, and 
in the Spring, when other trees began to be 
covered with green leaves again, these little 
cones began to swell, and at last burst into 
three lovely green branches, or two branches, 
and a top that shot straight up, 

“I thought that all the leaves and flowers 
had been killed, and I was surprised when I 
saw them growing again. 

“This led me to wonder at the Power that 
has made us to grow so differently. 

“Another great thought has always come 
to me in the Springtime of the year. 

“How silently all the miracles of nature 
are performed! 

“The forests put forth their leaves; far 
away in the fields I see the grain spring up, 
grow, and ripen in the fields ; the orchards bear 
their fruits, and all without a sound. 

“Well, year after year I grew taller and 
taller, and added more branches. 

“After a long while my bark grew rough 


Fiorina and the Winter People. 55 

and thick as you see it now, and full of great 
seams and ridges. 

“Now I am an old fir, and I could tell of 
many strange things I have learned during my 
long life.” 

The Princess was about to ask the Big Fir 
to tell her another story, when she was startled 
by a little voice that said, “Did you come to 
see me? Chip, chip!” 

Turning in the direction of the voice, she 
saw a brown, furry head peeping out of a large 
hollow tree near at hand, and a pair of saucy 
eyes twinkle roguishly as they looked at her. 

“I came to see the Winter People,” said 
the Princess. “Are you one of them?” 

“I am only a Brown Squirrel,” he replied. 

“We have a cosy little house here, have we 
not? And oh, such a store of nice sweet 
acorns hidden away! There is enough to last 
ns until Spring.” 

“Do you like Wintertime?” asked the 
Princess. 

“Yes; but I shall be glad to see Spring. 

“I am naturally a very industrious fellow, 
and being idle through the long Winter doesn’t 
agree with me. 


LofC. 


56 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 


“I’d far rather be gathering nuts, gamboling 
in the sunshine, or chasing my companions 
among the leafy boughs. 

“But I must bid you ‘good day,’ for the air 
is rather cold, chip ! chip !’’ and the furry head 
disappeared in the dark hollow of the open- 
ing, which was nearly covered with snow. 

Hand in hand with the Fairy, Princess 
Fiorina went on through forests, and over 
frozen hills and meadows. 

The Princess felt very sorry for some of 
the poor little Winter People. 

Many of them seemed so hungry and cold, 
and her kind heart filled with pity as she saw 
Robins, Blue Jays, Magpies and Crows fluffing 
out their feathers and silently asking relief. 

But often she noticed groups of them on 
snow bound lawns picking up crumbs which 
they ate with great relish. 

“M’here do the crumbs come from. Fairy 
Sharp Eyes?’’ inquired the Princess. 

The Fairy said. “W’ait a moment and you 
will see.” 

They were approaching a small brown cot- 
tage. 

As thev came nearer the Princess saw that 


Fiorina and the Winter People. 57 

a rosy cheeked boy leaned out of the window 
and threw crumbs out on the snow. The 
Bird People came flocking from far and near. 

A bold little Robin had flown up on the win- 
dow sill and was eating out of the boy’s hand. 
“If I were a bird I would fly away when 



Snow-bound. 


Father Winter comes,” said the Princess; as 
she and the Fairy glided onward, “far, far 
away to those countries where it is summer 
always.” 

“How would you like to be ordered to bed 
for the whole Winter?” asked the Fairy. 

“There are some creatures who spend the 


58 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 

Winter in this way, and so avoid cold and 
hunger. In the Autumn they eat and eat un- 
til they get very fat. 

“Then they go to bed and sleep until 
Spring.” 

“Oh, my!” exclaimed the Princess. “They 
must be queer creatures. 

“What are they called. Fairy Sharp Eyes, 
and what kind of beds do they sleep in?” 

Then the Fairy led Fiorina to a cranny in 
the rocks. 

Here, in a warm burrow lay a shaggy black 
animal. 

He was sound asleep, all curled up in a 
round bunch, and snoring loudly. At first 
Fiorina was frightened, for she had never 
seen such a large beast before, but the Fairy 
said : “Old Bruin will not awake for a long 
time yet, so you need not be afraid.” 

Then Fairy Sharp Eyes told Fiorina about 
the Frog who sleeps all Winter in the frozen 
mud at the bottom of the pond, and of the 
Bats, Snakes, Lizards and other creatures who 
lie dormant during the cold Winter months. 

And while the Princess listened and won- 
dered, she and the Fairy were speeding almost 


Fiorina and the Winter People. 59 

as swiftly as the wind toward a wonderful 
land, the real Winter Kingdom of the world. 

“It is growing dark,” remarked Fiorina 
sadly. “Is it not time for us to return to 
the palace?” 

“Not yet,” replied the Fairy. “The Winter 
is always dark in this land. 

“There is no morning, noon, or evening. 
It is always night.” 

On they rushed over wild high moun- 
tains, over the ice and the snowdrifts. 

Darkness would have reigned through all 
the land if the moon had not shone, and the 
stars twinkled and snapped so brightly. 

The people of the land lived in huts built 
of ice and snow, and in passing, Fiorina often 
saw the children dressed in fur and leather 
with snow shoes and fur caps and mittens. 

Sometimes they rode in curious little sleds 
behind pretty reindeer. 

All this the Princess saw with wonder. 
Then she thought to herself, “What fun it 
would be to ride for once behind a beautiful 
reindeer !” 

Her wish was at once granted, for just then 
two large Reindeer with beautiful silver horns 


6o Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 


stood by her side, and Fairy Sharp Eyes said : 

“These are my own magic Reindeer. We 
will take a ride, little Princess.” 

Then how they sped over the snow capped 
mountains. The beautiful Northern lights 
painted the snow pale red and shot golden and 
rosy shafts into the cold, blue night sky. 

The mountain wolves howled around them, 
but the magic Reindeer only ran and ran 
swiftly on until once more they were in the 
land of sunshine. 

At last they stopped at the very gateway of 
the palace. 

Here the little Princess bade Fairy Sharp 
Eyes good-bye, slipped in the gateway while 
the Sentinel’s back was turned, and tripped up 
the wide marble steps, and not a soul knew 
that she had been away on a wonderful jour- 
ney. 


The Fairy Brings Hiacinthiis. 6i 


VI. 


THE FAIRY BRINGS HIACINTHUS. 



ND what about Hiacinthiis? 
I presume my little readers 
have not forgotten the gal- 
lant young Prince with 
whom our Princess Fiorina 
talked and danced at the 
Wild Flower Ball. 

I will tell you now how he came to be 
King, and how royally he reigned in the 
great marble palace. 

It happened like this. 

The old King died soon after Fiorina’s 
visit to the W’inter People, and then the 
Princess was indeed sad and lonely. 

Day by day she grew paler and paler until 
all the courtiers and attendants were anxious, 
fearing that the Princess would die. 

Very soon she was to be crowned Queen. 

But Fiorina did not care to be crowned 


queen. 


62 Princess Fiorina in Natureland. 


She would rather have been free to roam 
the bright fields, and enjoy the JIature World 
like little girls she had caught glimpses of 
while visiting Natureland, 

Fiorina laid away all her beautiful dresses 
of peacock blue, scarlet and gold, and donned 
a gown of pure white. 

The Royal Seamstress was making a gor- 
geous dress for her. 

This she was to wear when she should be 
crowned, an event which she dreaded. 

She took little interest in all the preparations 
that were going on in the Palace. 

One day in early Spring Fiorina strolled 
unattended through the stately gardens. 

As she approached the great stone foun- 
tain a little glint of pink and white caught her 
eye, and coming nearer she saw that a lovely, 
haughty looking hyacinth was growing just 
beside the fountain. 

“Oh, you beauty !“ cried the Princess, “how 
glad I am to see you ! Did Fairy Sharp Eyes 
bring you?” 

“Fairy Sharp Eyes will speak for herself,” 
said a silvery voice near at hand, and looking 
around, Fiorina beheld the bright faced Fairy 
poising on the rim of the fountain. 


The Fairy Brings Hiacinthus. 63 

“My dear little Princess, are you glad to see 
me?” she asked. 

“Indeed I am,” replied Fiorina, “but it 
makes me sad that I can never visit Nature- 
land again. 

“In a few days I am to be made Queen, 
and then should I venture even for an hour 
away from the Palace I would be missed, and 
I do not know then what would happen.” 

“Would it please you. Princess Fiorina, if 
I should bring you a companion — some one 
to talk with you, and make you happy?” 

“If you only would, dear Fairy,” said 
Fiorina. “Then I should never be lonesome.” 

“Whom shall I bring?” asked the Fairy. 
“One of the Flower, Bird or Winter Peo- 
ple?” 

Princess Fiorina did not answer at first. 
She was thinking deeply. 

Presently her eye rested on the beautiful 
flower at her feet, and a sudden thought came 
to her. 

“Oh, could you bring Prince Hiacinthus?” 
she asked. 

The Fairy smiled, and bending daintily for- 
ward, touched the flower with her tiny wand. 

Instantly the Prince stood before them, as 


64 Princess F'lorina in Natureland. 

beautiful and as gallant as he was at the ball. 

“Prince Hiacinthus,” said the Fairy, “go 
boldly to the palace, for you are more honored 
than any other Prince in the land. You will 
be royally received.” 

With these words Fairy Sharp Eyes van- 
ished before either Fiorina or Fliacintlius could 
even thank her. 

Then the Prince bent low and kissed the 
hand of the Princess and led her gayly toward 
the great marble palace. 

Not long after this Fiorina became Queen 
and Hiacinthus was made King, and so the 
Prince and Princess lived happily ever after- 
ward, for the first law they made was one 
which opened all the stately gardens and royal 
groves to the Bird, Bee, Flower and Butter- 
fly People, so that the new King and Queen 
could enjoy Natureland in their own garden. 







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